Ronald Aldana had a choice. Stay in Guatemala and be hunted down by gangs, or flee to the United States and try to make a new life. He chose to come to the United States. He applied for asylum, received it and has started a new life.

For years, immigration law has sent undocumented immigrants who marry U.S. citizens back to their home countries to obtain visas. Charlie Garcia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador did just that. Tragically, he was killed there, waiting for his paperwork to come through.

The Mara Salvatrucha and its rival the 18th Street Gang were both created by immigrants. This past March, the Salvadoran branches of the gangs brokered a truce. Alex Sanchez, a former gang member, says the truce back home has reverberated in Los Angeles.

For years, immigration law has sent undocumented immigrants who marry U.S. citizens back to their home countries to obtain visas. Charlie Garcia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador did just that. Tragically, he was killed there, waiting for his paperwork to come through.

The Mara Salvatrucha and its rival the 18th Street Gang were both created by immigrants. This past March, the Salvadoran branches of the gangs brokered a truce. Alex Sanchez, a former gang member, says the truce back home has reverberated in Los Angeles.

Ronald Aldana had a choice. Stay in Guatemala and be hunted down by gangs, or flee to the United States and try to make a new life. He chose to come to the United States. He applied for asylum, received it and has started a new life.